Game and Fish has had busy time filling water catchments

It’s hard to comprehend how our wildlife in the Arizona desert can, and do, die of starvation and lack of much-needed, life-saving water. Filling up on water is something we are apt to take for granted, figuring someone else will help us and make it all better.

The following report from the Arizona Game and Fish Department let’s us know that the agency’s Development Branch/Water Development Section is responsible for a large number of wildlife water developments/catchments throughout the state. It has had an extra busy time of it this summer with our weather being so hot and habitats in our desert areas so dry.

“These developments primarily provide water to wildlife during the hot, dry summer months when water is scarce, although many wildlife species use these water sources throughout the year,” the report states. “Water Development Section responsibilities include redeveloping existing developments that are in disrepair, building new developments when warranted, and hauling water and performing routine maintenance on these facilities.”

It’s been a real chore for Game and Fish personnel and all their great volunteers, members of Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club to name a few, in the Yuma area in Region IV, for example, to get that muchneeded water to where the wildlife can get to it. These hardworking guys and gals never give up, though, and with a share of rain along with the hauling of the water, there is the hope to see those wildlife animals survive until it cools off again so they won’t need to be so dependent.

The report states, “Since assembling the first ‘Arizona guzzler’ in 1946, the department has constructed more than 850 wildlife water developments statewide. The first water developments were designed to support desert quail and upland game bird reintroduction efforts in the 1950s and early 1960s. An evaluation of the water development program in the mid-1960s redirected the department’s focus from game birds to big game species. Over the last five decades, water development design, site selection, materials, and construction methods have continued to evolve as materials have become more environmentally safe and resilient, and dependable.” You can refer to the Wildlife Water Development Standards for the latest design information.

“Other projects that the Water Development Section works on throughout the year are Apache Trout fences and fish barriers in the White Mountains, and wildlife area fencing throughout the state.

“Two new ideas that have recently materialized in the Water Development Section are the Adopt-ACatchment program and a toll free phone line (866) 950-AGFD (2433) that allows the public to report on wildlife water development concerns like low water levels or maintenance needs. The AdoptA-Catchment program employs volunteers working through the department’s wildlife managers on specific developments that the volunteers have an interest in, whether from a hunting perspective or a watchable wildlife interest. Some volunteers have even adopted more than one development since the program started. By adopting a development/catchment, volunteers are asked to regularly check water levels during the critical dry months and to perform some light maintenance like fence repairs or cleaning out collection points and gutters.”

Your help with the Water for Wildlife would definitely be appreciated. With the water problem being so serious, as I reported last week in Water for Wildlife, let me get the information in again for those who may have missed it.

• Water for Wildlife: The Game and Fish Department reports, “Arizona is in its 21st year of long-term drought. For wildlife, this means less drinking water and a bigger fight for survival, especially during dry summers. AZGFD receives no general fund dollars from the state, which means we must rely on generous people like you to help fund these much-needed efforts. How can you help? Text SEND WATER to 41444 to contribute toward the department’s watering project. 100 percent of the proceeds go to on-the-ground conservation efforts. Visit AZWildlifeHero.com to learn more about how the agency’s conservation efforts are paying off, and how you can help keep the great outdoors great.”

As I’ve said before, Game and Fish personnel with the assistance of volunteers are “busting their butts” daily keeping this water available to our wildlife so they can survive, and your donation in any amount would be much appreciated.

Catfish tip

Now that monsoons along with our extreme summer heat have moved into Yuma for real, it’s prime time to go after big channel catfish at whitewater areas below Imperial and Laguna Dams as well as so many other areas along the Colorado River.

These feisty fighters hang tight to these locations because of the never-ending food supply, increased oxygen levels and comfortable water temperatures. They are known to settle into the deepest holes created by the fast waters to rest, moving into the shallows to forage for food where the current is slower.

Catfish thrive in areas lying in the downstream and at backwater pools where the water flow brings food scent to them. The more aroma the better. Generally, areas are good at the very edge of a current break where the main downstream flow and the reversed flow meet, and where depths are as shallow as 10 to 12 feet and sometimes less.

If you haven’t tried catfishing, this is a fascinating time while it’s so hot and muggy, to try your hand at it, especially during low-light hours. Try using a medium action rod with line in the 12-17-pound test range. Stinkbaits work well on the hook. One avid, and successful, Yuma angler suggests mixing strong cheese with flour and peanut butter with enough sardine oil to keep it good and greasy, yet real thick and doughy. Let this concoction sit in the sun a day or two, then once it ripens, it’ll stay on the hook better. Or try hot dogs soaked in sardine oil, whole minnows, fish meat (mackerel or bluegill are good) or chicken livers — the stinkier the better. Blood bait or any of the Berkley prepared baits are also good to try.

Use a bait needle to run a 2-foot leader through a 5-inch piece of bait, then tie on a big 5/0 hook. Fasten the line on a three-way swivel with one leg going to the main line, the other tied to a lighter, 12-inch length of monofilament line attached to a two-ounce drop sinker. You can also hook chunks of cut bait just once through one end — this will aid in releasing scent as the bait rotates and bounces in the water flow.

Cast the rig into fast current along the eddies’ outer edges. The weight should be heavy enough to keep this set-up in place, allowing the bait to tumble just off the bottom where it won’t drag and hang up between the rocks. If the weight should snag bottom, the light drop line will break first so the rest of the rig can be saved to use again.

A popular method of maintaining bottom contact, while still making sure the “lure” is directly in the flow, involves a wire-rigged safety pin-type bottom walker weight designed to roll forward as the fish moves up to the bait. The “tap-tap” sensation is easily identified and makes for solid hookups.

A channel catfish will usually take the bait in its gaping mouth as it swims forward. No savage strike — just a tug at the line when it tastes the bait. Then the fish will rest swimming and the current will begin to carry it downstream as it crunches the offering. This is when you need to reel in slack line quickly, rear back and set the hook hard. Good fish’n, and give me a holler if you have a fish story to share — I’ll be glad to hear. Check next week’s column for suggestions for catching bass this time of year available to our wildlife so they can survive and your donation in any amount would be much appreciated.

Fishing clubs

• Desert Bass Anglers “The Fun Way to Fish”: Practice for the Aug. 4 Bass Team Colorado River Tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing. Details will be forthcoming or call Mac or Bobbi McDermott at 726-1984. The club reminds each of us to keep your live-well in good condition — check it often so those fish will be kept in good shape after weigh-in to be returned to the water for catching a next time. Keeping you cool as well is also a necessity when fishing so you can come back, too. Note from Mac & Bobbi: Because of the early summer hours of tournaments, lights are now required at launch to prevent close calls at the boat ramp. Don’t violate the light rule — we’d like to maintain our no

• Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club: Hope to have results from the Hefner Memorial Bass/season finale 2-day derby soon or you can call Clint Fraser at 580-3231 or Danny Woods at 448-8476. Will also report results soon of the Catfish Derby with chairs Glenda, 580-0440 and Donny Hazlett, 581-2063.

Since time is flying, I’ll mention the 12th annual Mike Mitchell Memorial Dove Hunter’s barbecue the evening of Sept. 1 at Cocopah Bend RV Resort, 6800 Strand Ave., sponsored by the YVRGC Club and Southwest Wildlife Foundation. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with dinner starting at 6 p.m. Bring the whole family for lots of fun and win guns, gear and more. Meal tickets are $25 with kids meal (12 and under) $10. If you’d like to be a table sponsor, call Cheryl Jones at (928) 920-6934. There will be live and silent auctions, games and raffles throughout the evening, with all proceeds to benefit youth and wildlife conservation efforts. Anyone who might enjoy becoming a sponsor and want to make a donation of any kind can call Cheryl.

• Desert Draw Series Pro/Am Bass Fishing Club: Be sure to call Michael Obney at (928) 750-7081 to sign-up or for information on the July 23 tournament launching out of Fisher’s Landing.

• Yuma High School Bass Fishing Club: A great way for any high schooler to learn all about fishing for bass. Members of both the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club and Desert Bass Anglers assist the kids in providing them with boats and equipment as well as guiding the youngsters, both guys and gals, in gaining a good share of fishing know-how’s. Call Terry Hurt, school sponsor, at 580-6567 or visit StudentAnglerFoundation.com to get started. Any interested high school student will be a part of an exciting year for our next generation of anglers at Fisher’s Landing/Martinez Lake. This bunch of super young people also help others with their fishing along the way by assisting at local youth events.

Shooting sports

• 4-H Shooting Sports: The Yuma County 4-H training schedule for shooting sports will start on Sept. 20 with a safety class and answer questions about the project, open to any 4-H youth ages 9-19 that are a member of a Yuma County 4-H Community Club. Training will begin at the Yuma County Fairgrounds with archery and air rifle, then in December move to Dome Valley and add black powder, small bore .22 and shotgun with a training camp-out in January and end of the year competition in March. Call the Yuma 4-H office at 726-3904 or Stan Gourley at 3440740 with questions.

• Renegade Archers of Yuma: If you’d like to shoot the trail of 3D animals with us at the Foothills Archery Range, call Kevin at 7260953 or Jean at 247-4450. Archery instruction for anyone interested is free! We’ll be glad to assist in their learning (call ahead so we can bring along extra bows and arrows). The practice area at the range is open (also free use) daylight hours all week for practice and enjoyment. You might be better satisfied bringing along your own target. People seem to be intent on tearing down the expensive cotton bales — do what you can to prevent vandalism while at the range so all can enjoy.

• Yuma Trap and Skeet Club: Interested in trap and skeet? Shoot 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays at Adair Park. Call Bob Avila at (928) 919-0622. The pre-season shoot this year is Aug. 26, set to begin at 7 a.m. with $5 match fees. Winners will receive a $15 gift card from Sprague’s along with a one-time indoor range pass for that extra practice.

• The Yuma Young Guns with the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) will begin again when weather cools a bit. Call Head Coach H. McNutt at (928) 580-0918 if you are interested.

• Yuma Territorial Longrifles Club: Regular open black powder matches are 1st and 3rd Saturday’s at the Adair Park range at 8:30 a.m. Call Roger Bickel at 726-7453 — ask about .22 matches.

• Cholla Gun Club at Adair Park: Call Glenda Graves at (928) 5800915 for shooting times. Watch for their shooting schedule beginning again this fall.

• High Power Rifle and Pistol Club of Yuma: Check with Joseph Murek at umpire1@q.com or Gerald Brooker at brookergerald@att.net or call (858) 349-1311 or Paul Lerma at 580-7456 to learn about shooting at the Adair Park big bore range. Club junior “Whipper Snipers” will begin their shooting activities for all ages again in September. Check club matches as well as Whipper Snipers news listed on the club website at hprifleyuma.net.

• Yuma Matchmasters: A variety of matches are offered each month at the range, all open to shooters at 7 a.m. with the steel challenge the 1st Saturday, multi-gun matches the 1st Sunday, IPSC combat matches the 2nd Sunday, cowboy fast draw the 3rd Saturday and SASS cowboy matches the 4th Saturday. Interested in cowboy action shooting? Call Irene Snyder at (209) 613-4598 or Bob Wiles at 920-2158 with questions.

• Southwest Bowhunters Archery Club: Archery is offered on Sundays with their practice range also open all week. Call Keith Parsels at 7821097.

Contact Jean Wilson at jeanrenegade@ gmail.com or call 247-4450.